Even if LeBron hooks up with say Chris Paul, Kawhi Leonard, or even Paul George in Laker unis after this season—it doesn’t appear to me LeBron will be any closer to a fourth ring.
Jerry West knew what he was doing when he stole Kevin Durant away from Sam Presti. What Jerry West did was basically make the Golden State Warriors unbeatable as presently constructed with Durant, Curry, Thompson, Green, and Iguodala.
Don’t laugh though when I write this—of all the teams in the NBA the one which which might have had a chance was…. the Oklahoma City Thunder. I write this though with the caveat Presti had added a scoring Sixth Man instead of the aged, delusional, and slow Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder roster.
Consider this…if you play a switching defense where you switch almost everything—the Thunder should have had a starting five of Roberson, George, Grant, Adams, and Westbrook. A truly great defensive lineup when Russell Westbrook is actually exerting effort on defense… and you know–trying.
But, alas…Sam Presti lost his mind and added a player who the zenmaster Phil Jackson couldn’t connect with in New York. I mean… if the zenmaster couldn’t relate with Carmelo then what would make anyone think Billy Donovan could cross that bridge.
Anyway, pretty much a yawner in Game 1 in Houston as Durant found himself guarded by James Harden, PJ Tucker, and little Chris Paul. That isn’t happening in a good way for the Rockets. They have no chance with those guys guarding Kevin Durant.
You see, Jerry West and Bob Meyer thought all this out unlike Sam Presti. Jerry West basically made sure Kevin Durant would have two of the guys in the league who can somewhat guard Durant on their Warriors team. Those would be Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala.
Brilliant. They not only stole Durant from Oklahoma City, but they kept the two guys in the Western Conference who can guard the Slim Reaper.
Jerry West…smart guy.
Game 1: Golden State 119-Houston 106.
So what if some smart guy like Jerry West could put LeBron, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard on the same team to guard Kevin Durant next season?